The Gratitude Day 22 Mar 2017

Sunnataram Forest Monastery, on behalf of Thai Sangha, Thai Government and Thai Communities in Australia would like to invite Venerable monks and nuns from all Buddhist traditions in Australia to receive a gift: a token of our gratitude and respect on Wed 22nd March 2017 commencing at 10:30 AM till 2:00 PM at our monastery. We still remember, and feel deeply touched by all venerables' unconditional love and support to offer blessings and chanting to the most beloved King Bhumibol of Thailand on 17th October 2016 at Tumbalong park and / or at your own temples. The most Venerable Phra Dhammajediyajahn, Abbot of Wat Phra Srimahatat, Bangkok will represent the Head Monk of Thailand to perform this special ceremony of thanks. Please extend our invitation to your Sangha members and your devotees. With Metta and respect, Venerable Phra Mana Viriyarampo Abbot

A very inspiring day to welcome 50 monks and nuns from 25 monasteries from Thailand and NSW. Thanks to all Venerable monks and nuns for your kind participation and rejoice with all organizers, supporters and volunteers to make the day special. The rain just stopped for our ceremony with warm sun and green garden beds. After the function finished, we got a very big storm, and every thing was soaked wet and blown away. It seemed the heaven hold the pouring rain till we accomplished our performing of gratitude. Then, everything is clean and blessed !

The rain just stopped for the event.

We decided to hold the function outdoor beside the Gratitude Pagoda

The Kuan Yin pond is full and all garden beds are green

Monks and nuns from the Australian Buddhist Foundation

50 International monks and nuns from the 3 traditions are kindly accepted our invitation.

'Oscar Award' made by monks and volunteers from recycled tember with bronze statue, coin and floral garland for all members of Sangha and participants

Thai monks and Thai communities to express our gratitude to all Sangha

Oy - the MC introduced the function

33 ploughs were displayed around the walk way of the Gratitude Pagoda

Kim gave her speech with respect and gratitude to all Sangha

Venerable Monks and Nuns, Khun Nathapon, Consul General of Thailand, and dear friends in the Dhamma,

I am very pleased to welcome you to the Gratitude Day Ceremony.

Today is our way to honour and give thanks to our International Sangha in Australia.

Last October, the beloved King Bhumipol of Thailand passed away and there was an overwhelming outpouring of grief from his people for their beloved king. His Majesty King Bhumipol was a truly Buddhist king, living his life in the Dhamma , with all his efforts devoted to improving the life of his people. He was the father figure of the Thai nation and unique in today’s challenging world. We may never againknow a Buddhist King such as he was. How privileged we have been.

Last year the Thai community in Sydney felt such grief and so distant from their homeland, they turned to the Sangha for comfort. A memorial to His Majesty was quickly organised by the Thai Sangha, Thai government and the Thai community at Tumbalong Park in Sydney.

Venerable Phra Mana and members of Sunnataram Forest Monastery, with the help of our friend Michael Chen, invited our International Sangha friends, whom we are here to honour and thank today.

On the evening at Darling Harbour, none of us will ever forget the beautiful heartfelt condolences of our International monks and nuns. The superb chanting of our Japanese Reverend Shigenobu Watanabe, the wonderful voices of our Hindu Swamis, the powerful sounds of Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Tibetan monks and nuns filled the huge space with loving kindness vibrations and their deep respect for His Majesty King Bhumipol. Venerable Kovida inspiring us with his gentle Dhamma talk.

The contribution of the International Sangha was the overwhelming highlight of the evening. Standing or seated on the stage, we watched day turn to night and the crowd, so beautiful and dignified, just a few hundred Thai people suddenly became some 20,000 people strong, emotionally bound in love and respect for their beloved king.

As a token of our Gratitude and appreciation, venerable Phar mana and the volunteers of Sunnataram Forest Monastery, have created a gift for all Sangha and those people who contributed to the success of this historical event.

The antique ploughs from Thailand, which you can see displayed around the Pagoda, were donated to Phra Mana by our friend Malcolm and Tum Henderson. They are made of Thai teak and hardwood, and have been sanded, varnished and mounted on Sandstone which was part of the Gratitude Pagoda building project. Each plough is embellished with traditional gold leaf and a coin depicting His Majesty King Bhumipol. The ploughs are an appropriate memorial for His Majesty, as the name bhumipol in Thai is translated as Strength of the Land.

Today we are delighted to have our very dear and most senior monk from Thailand, Venerable Ajahn Dhammachediya to offer these ploughs to all honourable monks and nuns. Luongpo Dhammachediya is very sympathetic to the International Sangha, having lived in Australia for many years some time ago, and is now Abbot of Wat Pra Si Mahatat in Bangkok, where missionary monks are trained before being sent overseas to teach Buddhism.

Today is a day of thanks and gratitude and one which we hope everyone will remember as a day of fun and enjoyment, coming together in appreciation.

Please enjoy the day. Sadhu and rejoice with everyone

Mr. Nathapol Khantahiran, Consul- General Royal Thai Consulate, Sydney thanked all Sangha on behalf of Thai government

Phra Mana explained the idea behind the plough gifts and event.

Thai monks gave blessings during the presentation of gifts to all Abbots and Abbesses

The Gratitude Day is for all Sangha

The antique plough is adorned with Thai coin, gold leaf and Malai.

The face of King Bhumibol of the Thai coin attached to the antique ploughs

Malai: the Thai traditional flowral garland is to be offered to the Kings or monks

It seemed to us as the heaven rejoiced with our act of gratitude, and let us perform this auspicious function till the end.Sadhu

Happy Kim and Oy- both are the main organizers of the Historical Memorial Service for the King on 17 Oct 2016 and the Gratitude Day 22 Mar 2017

Rejoice and Anumodhana with both of you. Sadhu

Sadhu and thanks to Malcolm and Toom Henderson, Moss Vale for their kind donation of antique ploughs since September 2016.

Thanks to the brass plaque team; Suchanath, Supavitch, and Suchada Jarasuraisin, the three brother and sisters who are nieces and nephew of Phra Mana, helped to create the brass plaques in Thailand since November 2016 for the plough award.

'Chokdee' posted for photographers like Braid Pitt. He wants to be a Hollywood cat on the red carpet.

Feedback

It was wonderful to see you and Ven Phra Mana once again at your Monastery on 22 March.

Thank you so much for inviting me to join this meaningful occasion!

Food was good your hospitality was wonderful too!

Sorry that I didn’t have time to say “good bye” and “thank you” after the ceremony, as I had to be home by 4:15 for the next task.

Anyway, I hope I would have another chance to see you again in near future!!

Please take good care of yourself.

Be happy,

Shigenobu Watanabe, Reverend

Greatest thank to the King, this meaningful and great honour gift symbolizes we need more working hard together for our Buddhist community. Thanks to Bhante Phra Mana and your gift to me on this oppurtunity.

Michael Chen

Dear Phra Mana and Kim.

Thank you for such a wonderful day at Sunnataram yesterday.

I am sorry not to directly thank Phra Mana but i don't have Sunnataram's email address.